Winnetka ends affordable housing push

Village Council's split vote takes committee's plan off the table

December 08, 2011

A split Winnetka Village Council officially put the brakes on its discussion about affordable housing during an emotional and sometimes heated meeting this week.

The six trustees were evenly split on a resolution to take several Plan Commission recommendations off the table. Village President Jessica Tucker broke the tie by supporting the resolution to drop talks about the issue.

Tuesday's vote ended several months of often-contentious debate about the nature of the North Shore village. Village trustees cited a Winnetka Caucus survey in which a majority of respondents opposed affordable housing by more than a 2-to-1 ratio.

The Plan Commission began studying affordable housing in 2005, and in April offered its recommendations to diversify the village's housing stock by encouraging rental apartments and coach houses, as well as sub-market-rate condominium units in qualifying future developments.

Carry Buck, leader of a local political organization called the Winnetka Home Owners Association, told trustees to follow the results of the caucus survey.

"Shouldn't the trustees represent the majority of the people? Isn't there an obligation?" Buck said.

Becky Hurley, chairwoman of the Plan Commission, also spoke at the meeting and expressed disappointment at the misunderstanding in the community over the proposals, which she said were benign and specifically tailored to Winnetka.